Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

Idaho, New Mexico Ask Feds To Run Health Exchanges

In addition, media outlets report that the nation's largest for-profit insurers will not participate in California's online marketplace. Eleven insurers have applied to operate plans in Colorado.

The Wall Street Journal: Two States Seek Help With Health Exchanges
Two states that had planned to run their own health-insurance exchanges this fall are asking the federal government for help in the first year, a sign of the obstacles states face in carrying out a centerpiece of the health-care overhaul. Idaho and New Mexico had been among a few Republican-led states that had agreed to operate their own health exchanges, which will offer a variety of insurance plans for people who don't have coverage otherwise (Dooren, 5/22).

Kaiser Health News: Capsules: 11 Insurers Want To Play Ball In Colorado's Marketplace
Colorado became the latest state Wednesday to post proposed health insurance plans for its new online marketplace, which is slated to begin enrolling people in coverage Oct. 1. What stands out is the number of plans being proposed. A total of 11 insurers are seeking approval to market about 250 health plans to individuals and small groups in the state's online marketplace (Galewitz, 5/22).

Los Angeles Times: UnitedHealth, Aetna And Cigna Opt Out Of California Exchange
Some prominent health insurers, including industry giant UnitedHealth Group Inc., are not participating in California's new state-run health insurance market, possibly limiting the number of choices for millions of consumers. UnitedHealth, the nation's largest private insurer, Aetna Inc. and Cigna Corp. are sitting out the first year of Covered California, the state's insurance exchange and a key testing ground nationally for a massive coverage expansion under the federal healthcare law (Terhune, 5/22).

And, in Washington state -

The Associated Press: 2 Insurers Left Abortion Coverage Out Of Washington State Health Exchange Proposals
Two insurance companies who filed to compete in Washington state's health care exchange initially proposed not to provide abortion coverage, officials said Wednesday. All current Washington health plans provide abortion insurance. Stephanie Marquis, a spokeswoman with the Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner, said the plans without such coverage in the health exchange were recently filed by Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of The Northwest and BridgeSpan Health Company (5/22).

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